From the Office of the Bishop

You can now sign up to volunteer for the Consecration of Bishop-Elect Megan Traquair! See the time slots and positions here: bit.ly/volunteerednc In addition, when a bishop is consecrated, it is customary for them to receive gifts of different types that will be used in their ministry. These gifts often include the following: vestments, a mitre (the pointy hat worn by a bishop), a crozier (the staff that is a symbol of the bishop's office), an episcopal ring and more!

St. John's, Chico, continues to be actively involved in helping folks impacted by the Camp Fire in Paradise. As a part of this work, the church is requesting gift cards that they can hand out to those who need assistance.

The following is Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s statement on the violence in Sri Lanka:The joy of Easter was mixed with grief following the dreadful attacks that morning on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, bombings that left hundreds dead and wounded. Our hearts ache for the all those who mourn this week, and as Episcopalians join with countless persons of good will I’m praying for the power of love to overcome the forces of hatred and violence. May the souls of a...

[From Episcopal News Service, March 29, 2019] Episcopalians and friends concerned about all of God’s creation are joining Presiding Bishop Michael Curry in pledging to take action to protect and renew God’s world and all who call it home. The goal is to gather at least 1,000 pledges with concrete, personal commitments by Earth Day, April 22.Building from the Episcopal Vision for Care of Creation statement developed by the Presiding Bishop’s Office and the Advisory Council on St...

In the past several months, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), an ecumenical organization of which The Episcopal Church is a constituent part, created a curriculum designed for congregational groups, exploring Middle East issues both historically and in our present-day context. The following message from Mae Cannon, executive director of CMEP, introduces the curriculum:The Search for Peace & Justice in the Holy Land is designed to be taught in a small-group environment over a perio...

We are pleased to announce that Jay Elmquist will be joining the Office of the Bishop staff as Director of Communications beginning April 15.Jay Elmquist has been a member of Trinity Cathedral for about four years. He found a home in the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California when he moved to Sacramento in 2015. In that time he has worked on the Adult Spiritual Formation Committee and served in worship as a choir member, a Verger and an Eucharistic Minister.

Dear Friends in Christ,After a lengthy process of discernment stretching back years, in December 2018 the Board of Trustees authorized the listing of Camp Noel Porter property for sale. We have accepted an offer from a Christian organization whose stated purpose is to use the property for long term ministry/camps and God’s purpose. The Outdoor Chapel will remain in use and well cared for by this faithful organization.Previous offers and negotiations did not result in assurances the property woul...

Bishop Barry has asked that this finalized Memorandum of Understanding be shared with the Diocese regarding his coming change of status. "It is the result of several months of discussion with the Standing Committee and the Board of Trustees. I initiated this project, basing it on what our rectors do when they step down, both to affirm that practice, and to begin the conversation about how you and I can establish and maintain healthy boundaries in the new landscape so rapidly approachin...

Join the diocese as we gather in three different events to honor Bishop Barry Beisner. These events are free. Please RSVP online if you plan to attend: https://goo.gl/v6LkBi Saturday, May 11, 5:30 - 8 p.m.

Grace and peace to you, in the Name of Jesus Christ. We are the bishops of the six dioceses of the Episcopal Church in California. On March 13, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order placing a moratorium on the death penalty in the state, calling it “ineffective, irreversible and immoral.” We are grateful to Governor Newsom for taking the bold and courageous step to institute a moratorium on executions in the state of California.While we acknowledge that this may be an issue on which re...

[March 15, 2019] The House of Bishops of The Episcopal Church met in retreat at Kanuga Conference Center, Hendersonville, NC. At their March 15 business meeting, they adopted the following Mind of the House Resolution and received a statement from the Bishops’ Spouses Planning Group which follows the bishops’ statement:Bishops gathered at the Spring 2019 meeting of the House of Bishops are aggrieved and distressed by the Archbishop of Canterbury’s decision to exclude same sex spouses of bishops ...

Pastoral Message Concerning the District Attorney's Decision from Bishop BeisnerDear Friends in Christ:Grace and peace to you. I write to you having just heard the announcement by District Attorney Schubert that the officers involved in the shooting death of Stephon Clark will not be charged. We have immediately paused our Diocesan Board of Trustees meeting for prayer: for Stephon Clark's family and friends, in their grief; for all in our local law enforcement, government, and commu...

Episcopal Diocese of Northern California Special Electing Convention - Feb. 9, 2019 Faith Episcopal Church, Cameron Park The Reverend Canon Megan M. Traquair was elected the eighth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California on the third ballot, with a vote of 151 lay delegates and 85 clergy.